Forget The Rumours: Here's Proof Michael Jackson Really Did Cameo On 'The Simpsons'

30 August 2018 | 12:32 pm | Staff Writer

Matt Groening confirms it all.

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The debate around whether Michael Jackson really did cameo on The Simpsons back in the '90s has waged on for some time, but let it be settled once and for all — that is the King Of Pop's voice you're hearing. 

Chatting with Aussie hip hop artist Briggs on The Weekly With Charlie Pickering, iconic cartoonist and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening confirmed Jackson did voice the character (later to be revealed as Leon Kompowsky) in the 1991 episode, Stark Raving Dad, but did admit the singing was performed by Kipp Lennon (who sang some iconic The Simpsons songs like Flaming Moe's and I'm Checkin' In), due to contractual obligations. 

Some may be aware that this whole kerfuffle was actually settled in 2003 on the DVD commentary for the episode and by then co-showrunner Mike Reiss, but Groening has explained the situation again.

"[Jackson] said that he loved Bart and wanted to be on the show," Groening said.

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"He did do the show. He didn't want credit for it. There was some kind of deal with his record company or whatever.

"So when it came time to sing the songs, he had a soundalike singer and he stood there and watched the guy who was so nervous who had to sound like Michael Jackson."

The news comes just a day after what would be Jackson's 60th birthday.

Watch the full chat with Briggs and Groening below.